As often as teams defend James Harden with as many different players and looks as possible, going to their best option down the stretch, Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he prefers to keep Trevor Ariza, his top defensive wing on an opposing team’s top scorer. …

Rockets center Dwight Howard went from questionable to play at all and not cleared to play until after he completed a pregame warmup and a stretching session about 45 minutes before tip, to playing 43 minutes including the entire fourth quarter and overtime. …